More young riders, women, minorities choosing Harley-Davidson: OEM

In 2012, for the fifth straight year, Harley-Davidson was the No. 1 seller of new street motorcycles (all engine sizes) in the United States to young adults ages 18 to 34, women, African-Americans and Hispanics, as well as Caucasian men ages 35 and over, according to Polk data cited by The Motor Co.

The newly available data also shows that Harley-Davidson experienced a double-digit market share gain from 2008 to 2012 in the U.S. with these customer groups, the OEM stated.

Harley-Davidson Chief Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer believes the company’s success is based on more than desirable products. “We don’t just build motorcycles. We fuel personal freedom,” he said. “The desire for individual expression draws customers from all walks of life because it’s a universal, human value that transcends cultures, generations and history.”

In 2012, sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew in each of the company’s key U.S. customer segments. Altogether, Harley-Davidson's U.S. sales to young adults, women, African-Americans and Hispanics grew at more than twice the rate of sales to Caucasian men ages 35 and over.

According to the Polk data cited by Harley, for street motorcycles (all engine sizes):

Harley-Davidson attracts more U.S. young adults, ages 18 to 34, than any other motorcycle brand in the U.S., and in 2012 sold nearly twice as many new street motorcycles to young adults as its nearest competitor.

The company sold more new street motorcycles in 2012 to women in the U.S. than all other brands combined.

Harley-Davidson sold nearly half of all new street motorcycles purchased by African-Americans and Hispanics respectively in the U.S. in 2012.

“It’s more than an adage that almost no two Harley-Davidson motorcycles are alike,” Richer said. “The same is true for our customers. Members of our community come from all different cultures, backgrounds and generations, and their shared attitude about life is the tie that binds.”